A Special Day of Remembering

By Sid Riley
Jackson County Honors Fallen Hero Police Officers
The poignant trill of the bagpipe expertly playing "Amazing Grace", the flyby of the Police helicopter, the twenty gun salute, and black balloons slowly rising into the blue sky all set the mood for the memorial ceremony that was held on the front lawn of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department Facility on Tuesday morning. A crowd of officers, families of fallen hero’s, government officials and candidates, and a caring public all assembled to pay honor to those Jackson County Police Officers who paid the ultimate price while in the call of duty.
In total, eight police officials have lost their lives while performing their jobs in Jackson County. These are Dave Hamm, John Ivey, Aaron Creel, Allen Finch, James Bevis, William Thomas Jr., John Altman, and Millie McDaniel. Eight empty chairs draped in black were lined up in front of the stone memorial in the yard. Each chair had a black balloon tethered to it. As Mark Sims with the States Attorney Office read a brief story of how each officer lost their life, the balloon for that chair was released to drift away into the summer sky.
Sheriff McDaniel gave the welcoming and closing remarks. The Color Guard of the American Legion Post #214 presented the flags to open the event. Sheriff McDaniel then led the Pledge of Allegiance. This was followed by invocation by Rev. Jack Hollis. Next, Major John Dennis recognized fallen hero family members that were present.
The Optimist Club and CrimeStoppers then announced and presented the Officer of the Year and Rookie Awards for Marianna Police Department, Sneads Police Department, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. (See separate story for details of awards.)
Next, Sheriff McDaniel placed a floral arrangement at the memorial stone while Geordie Org expertly played "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes. (See freeze frame picture.) Then Mark Sims read the roll call for fallen officers as the balloons were ceremoniously released. Immediately afterward there was a 21 gun salute from the Honor Guard of the American Legion Post #214, Sneads. Just as they finished the police helicopter performed a low level fly-by. Then Amy Allen played Taps. The program ended with a benediction from Rev. Jeff Ward.
A food tent had been set up for a free lunch sponsored by several area businesses including Rahal-Miller, Chipola Ford, The Oaks, and Baxter’s Oyster Bar. Rev. Flavious Pittman delivered a meaningful blessing and the crowd enjoyed their meal.
It was a somber, sad event on a beautiful day. We all are thankful for the fine, brave work of our area police officers.